Step for cars.



PATENTED JAN. 17, 1905.

3. TOZER.

STEP FOR CARS.

APPLIOATION FILED 0020 15.1904.

llnirso STATES Patented January 17, 1905.

PATENT OFrrcE.

STEP FOR CARS SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 780,243,dated January 17, 1905.

Application filed October 15, 1904- Scrial No. 228,589.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, JOHN M. TOZER, a citizen of the United States,residing at W'estover, in the county of Clear-field and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stepsfor Cars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists of an auxiliary step particularly adapted foruse in connection with the usual steps of a Pullman or ordinarypassenger car and designed to be lowered for use when the car is runintoa depot or alongside an alighting-platform to admit of greater easein passing into and out of the car. The present disadvantages arise fromthe fact that the lowermost step of the average passengercoach is toohigh for one to step to or from without difficulty, stools being oftenused to facilitate the above; and it is therefore an object of theinvention to obviate the foregoing by the provision of the'auxiliarystep mentioned and novel operating means for the same.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means foreffecting the result reference is to be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions bychanges in the structure and minor details without departing from thespirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodimentthereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is aperspective view showing the invention applied. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the steps of the usual construction ofrailway-coach, an auxiliary step being shown adjusted in a lowermostposition as when in use. Fig. 3 isarearelevation bringing out moreclearly the mounting of the auxiliary step upon the main steps of thecoach. Fig. 4: is a perspective view showing a portion of the steps,bringingout more clearly the arrangement of the spring which cooperateswith the operating-lever.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

It will be understood that the invention is susceptible of applicationin any instance wherein it is desirable to use an auxiliary step inconnection with other steps, whether the latter be carried byrolling-stock or located in any other position.

Referring to the drawings, the rigid steps of the car are indicated at1, and said steps are of any common approved construction. The auxiliarystep is designated 2, and this step when out of use is normally held ina position just beneath the lowermost of the steps 1. Special means areprovided for supporting and operating the step 2, said step beingsecured to guide-rods 8, extending upwardly therefrom and movable inbrackets or guide members 4, substantially attached to the rear sides ofadjacent steps 1. The step 2 is directed in its movement primarily bythe rods 3, being actuated, however, by means of a lever 5, mounted upona crank 6. The crank 6 is mounted in a bearing 7, located in rear of theuppermost step, and one end of the crank 6 is projected through a sideof said step, so that the lever 5 may be readily mounted thereon in aconvenient position. An arm 8 of the crank 6 is connected with a rigidbar 9, projected upwardly from the step 2 and extended therefrom at apoint preferably about intermediate the guide-rods The bar 9 is suitablyattached to the step 2, and the upper end of the bar is connected withthe arm 8 by means of a link 10.

When in its uppermost position, the step 2 is just beneath the lowermostof the steps 1, as mentioned above, and the outer edge of the step 2 isabout flush with the step 1 aforesaid. sition by means of a curvedspring 12, which projects upwardly from the uppermost step 1 and engagesbeneath a lug 13, projected lat erally from the lever 5. Aninterlockingconnection is established between the spring 12 I and thelug 13 by deflectingsaid springsomewhat adjacent its front end, so thatwhen the lever 5 is so disposed as to force the lug 1 3 into thedeflected portion of the spring (inch- The step 2 is held in itsuppermost po-' cated at 14:) the step 2is virtually locked from downwardmovement. By forcing the lever 5 rearwardly, however, the crank-arm 8 ismoved downwardly, actuating the step 2 in the same direction, and whensaid crank-arm reaches an approximately vertical position, engaging therear side of the uppermost step 1, the step 2 will be rigidly held in aposition sufficiently near the depot or alightingplatform as to admit ofstepping into and out of the car without difiiculty. One of the guidemembers 4 is preferably used for operation with the bar 9 also. It willbe noted that the device, as hereinbefore described, is very simple andmay be operated by the conductor or porter of the car as the trainenters and leaves a depot or the like.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Incombination with a plurality of steps, an auxiliary step normallydisposed beneath the lowermost of said steps, a plurality of guidemembers attached to the rear sides of the first-mentioned steps, aplurality of guiderods projected upwardly from the auxiliary step andcooperating with the guide members aforesaid, a bar extended upwardlyfrom the auxiliary step, a crank mounted in rear of one of thefirst-mentioned steps and having its arm projected rearwardly therefrom,a link connection between the crank-arm and the bar of the auxiliarystep, a lever mounted upon the crank aforesaid for connection thereof, alug projecting laterally from the lever, and a curved spring extendingupwardly from the uppermost step and provided in its length with adeflected portion adapted to receive the lug of the lever to therebyinterlock therewith.

2. In combination with a plurality of steps,.

an auxiliary step normally disposed beneath the lowermost of said steps,a plurality of guide members attached to the rear sides of thefirst-mentioned steps, a plurality of guiderods projected upwardly fromthe auxiliary step and cooperating with the guide members aforesaid, abar extended upwardly from the auxiliary step, a crank mounted in rearof one of the first-mentioned steps and having its arm projectedrearwardly therefrom, a link connection between the crank-arm and thebar of the auxiliary step, a lever mounted upon the crank aforesaid forconnection thereof, and a spring cooperating with said lever and adaptedto interlock therewith.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN M. TOZER. [L. s.] Witnesses:

ISAAC STRAW MEROHANT, N. T. YINGLING.

